Although the Chinese government crackdown continues, gamblers apparently are ignoring it.

"We're all pleasantly surprised at how well Macau is doing," RBC Capital analyst John Kempf told IBD. "But we're cautious because we're all concerned about China's economy and the mixed economic signals we're getting."

Kempf said he's seen an uptick in the number of VIP gamblers this month, but it will take more data to determine whether they've really returned in significant numbers.

Sands recently opened the last 1,800 rooms of its new multi-billion-dollar Sands Cotai casino, which it began opening early last year.

"As soon as they fill those rooms, their market share in Macau will likely increase," at the expense of rivals, Kempf said.

The world's largest casino company could use a lift. Its earnings-per-share growth has shrunk by 19%, 16% and 5% over the last three quarters. Analysts project it will report 6% lower EPS for the current quarter.

Investors continue to bet on it, though, and shares are up 18% so far in 2013. Sands sports an IBD Composite Rating of 91, meaning it's outperformed 91% of all stocks.

MGM Resorts edged down fractionally. The No. 2 Vegas casino's stock price hiked 6.8% on March 14 after activist investor Kirk Kerkorian's investment firm Tracinda said it may boost its stake in MGM as high as 25%.

Tracinda noted at the time that no decision had been made as to how many shares it would buy.

Caesars doesn't have Macau casinos, but saw strong growth early this year as consumers returned to its Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other U.S. casinos, and on prospects of higher revenue after New Jersey recently legalized online gambling.

Caesars soared 288% from a 4.52 low on Nov. 15 to a new all-time intraday high 18.25 on March 18 before retreating.

Macau casinos' total revenue soared 29.5% in March through Sunday, compared to a year ago, a report Monday said.

Mainland Chinese and VIP gamblers from around the globe continue to flock to the former Portuguese colony, China's only legal casino gaming district and the world's hottest gambling destination.

RBC Capital Markets raised its 2013 revenue growth forecast for Macau casinos to 10.5%, up from 10% earlier, citing channel checks with Las Vegas Sands (LVS), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and other casinos with operations there that suggest high-rollers are returning to Macau.

Although the Chinese government crackdown continues, gamblers apparently are ignoring it.

"We're all pleasantly surprised at how well Macau is doing," RBC Capital analyst John Kempf told IBD. "But we're cautious because we're all concerned about China's economy and the mixed economic signals we're getting."

Kempf said he's seen an uptick in the number of VIP gamblers this month, but it will take more data to determine whether they've really returned in significant numbers.

Sands recently opened the last 1,800 rooms of its new multi-billion-dollar Sands Cotai casino, which it began opening early last year.

"As soon as they fill those rooms, their market share in Macau will likely increase," at the expense of rivals, Kempf said.

The world's largest casino company could use a lift. Its earnings-per-share growth has shrunk by 19%, 16% and 5% over the last three quarters. Analysts project it will report 6% lower EPS for the current quarter.

Investors continue to bet on it, though, and shares are up 18% so far in 2013. Sands sports an IBD Composite Rating of 91, meaning it's outperformed 91% of all stocks.

MGM Resorts edged down fractionally. The No. 2 Vegas casino's stock price hiked 6.8% on March 14 after activist investor Kirk Kerkorian's investment firm Tracinda said it may boost its stake in MGM as high as 25%.

Tracinda noted at the time that no decision had been made as to how many shares it would buy.

Caesars doesn't have Macau casinos, but saw strong growth early this year as consumers returned to its Las Vegas, Atlantic City and other U.S. casinos, and on prospects of higher revenue after New Jersey recently legalized online gambling.

Caesars soared 288% from a 4.52 low on Nov. 15 to a new all-time intraday high 18.25 on March 18 before retreating.

MGM Resorts International's (NYSE:MGM) fourth-quarter loss widened and its revenue was lighter than expected as Macau operations continued to be a drag on results. Shares fell early Tuesday, pulling the casino sector down, even though MGM announced a special $400 million dividend. MGM Resorts ...

Revenue for Macau's casinos could fall a jaw-dropping 35% to 42% in February vs. the same month a year ago, according to a new market analysis. That could further drive down shares of battered Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) and other Macau-centric casinos. Early February's average daily receipts for ...

Shares of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS) and other Macau-centric casinos fell early Mon. — but later recovered — after the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said gambling revenue fell 17.4% in Jan. to $3 bil, the 8th monthly drop in a row. That dip followed a 30.4% decline in ...

02/02/2015 06:46 PM ET

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